Catholic unity, or, The only way to bring us all to be of one…Catholick vnity, or, The only way to bring us all to be of one…

If this be not the Law of God, then farewell Christianity: If it be his Law, it is sufficient in its kind, and to its ends, which is 1. To determine of all things that were then fit to be determined of: 2. And to determine of all that the Universal Church in all times after must be bound to. There is no Universal Law-giver but Christ. If this day be of Necessity, it was so then as well as now, and it is so to one Country as well as another: for there is the same reason for it in one age and place as in another. And therefore if Scripture be not a sufficient Rule for Universal Duties of Religion, then we are utterly at a loss; and as Popery will come first in, so Infidelity is likely to come next. I doubt not but pro re nata, upon emergent occasions, ⟨p. 372⟩Church-Governors may appoint Religious Anniversary solemni••es. For the occasion of these being 1. To some one place or Pro•••ce only: 2. And not existent […] Scripture times; it did not bel••• to the Universal Law to determine of them. But in cas•s that equally belong to the Universal Church, and where the Reason and occasion was existent in the Apostles days as well as now, if there we have not their determination, no others can come after them and make it universally Necessary. And indeed neither General Councils nor Apostolic Tradition can be pleaded for the Necessity. And sure I am that the one day in seven, even the Lords-day, of his own appointment, which the Universal Church hath constantly observed, is a Festival for the commemoration of the whole work ⟨p. 373⟩of Redemption, and therefore of the Birth of Christ, though especially of the Resurrection: And therefore we are not without a Day for this use.

If this be not the Law of God, then farewel Christianity: If it be his Law, it is sufficient in its kind, and to its ends, which is 1. To determine of all things that were then fit to be determined of: 2. And to determine of all that the Universal Church in all times after must be bound to. There is no Universal Law-giver but Christ. If this day be of Necessity, it was so then as well as now, and it is so to one Country as well as another: for there is the same reason for it in one age and place as in another. And therefore if Scripture be not a sufficient Rule for Universal Duties of Religion, then we are utterly at a loss; and as Popery will come first in, so Infidelity is likely to come next. I doubt not but pro re nata, upon emergent occasions,